Heslov and Clooney: Partners in Crime

You want to have some fun? Check out my interview with Grant Heslov, who partnered with George Clooney -- yes, I said George Clooney -- to create a production company called Smokehouse Productions.

Grant Heslov. If the name is not immediately familiar (just as it wasn't for me) that's because Heslov is a character actor. When he walked on set this morning, I remembered his face immediately. You've seen him in many films. He's had roles in big time movies like "Enemy of the State," "The Birdcage," "True Lies," "Congo" and many others. But this morning we didn't talk about his successful acting career -- we talked about his partnership with George Clooney.

Grant was nominated along with George Clooney for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for "Good Night, and Good Luck." He co-wrote and produced the film with George and appeared in the film as Don Hewitt. He has been friends with George for 30 years and talks about their new picture "Leatherheads" which opens this Friday. It's another throw back. This time it takes place in 1925 before the National Football League was created. George, a football hero in his own right, recruits a college football superstar (John Krasinski) to join his league to keep it afloat. A sexy reporter enters the picture and a love triangle ensues. I haven't seen it yet, but it sounds like my kind of movie.

You'll enjoy this video (or at least I hope you will) because he calls his good friend George out and tells us a more about George's devilish prankster side. If you don't know, George Clooney loves to pull pranks on his friends and cast members. He's notorious for his surprises . I like that!!!

Ironically when I anchored the third hour of the Today Show a couple of years of ago, I met George and spent quite a bit of time with him. We were just outside the green room (the place where upcoming guests congregate before they come on the show) and George and I hit it off. We talked about the economy, politics and so many important global issues. I was not only enamored by his good looks and disposition but by his intellect and curiosity. He had just returned from the G8 summit and was passionate about the many items on the agenda.

About a half-hour into that conversation, Matt Lauer arrived to interview him. I stepped away, took off my high heels, put on my boots (it was raining out) and prepared to exit the building. George in his confident but charming way said, "Alexis. That's a buzz kill! Are you sure you don't want to keep your heels on?" It was very funny! Everyone laughed. Little did he and I know that the reason for those boots was so that I could weather the rain as I walked down the block to meet Roger Ailes, the head of Fox News -- the man who became my boss and whom I work for today. Isn't life amazing!!!

Enjoy the video.

George, if you're reading this, let's go to the G8 Summit together this year? If that doesn't work, I'm happy to meet you in Lake Como, Los Angeles or right here in New York City !!!! I'm a BIG fan!